2-Year-Old Girl And Mom Get Home Of Their Own Thanks To Hooters

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater woman and her 2-year-old daughter are now the proud owners of a home of their own, thanks to Hooters Management Corp. and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

Employees from 12 Tampa Bay area Hooters restaurants volunteered 162 hours to help build a Habitat for Humanity home for the family.

This is the fifth home Hooters Management Corp. has sponsored in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.

The family received the keys to their new home on June 22.

“I look forward to all of the new wonderful memories that will come with my new home, and the fact that I get to leave a legacy behind for my daughter,” said Heather, who asked to be identified using only her first name. In addition to sponsoring the home, Hooters also covered the moving expenses for the family.

Hooters Management Corp. has presented Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties more than $374,000 to build the five homes. Most recently, Hooters Management Corp. presented a donation of $74,500.

“We are so thankful to be able to assist local families with a place to call home. Every year, our team at Hooters looks forward to volunteering to help with the Habitat build and to attend the dedication ceremony when the families receive the keys to their new home,” said Denise Williams, chief marketing officer of Hooters Management Corp.

Hooters Management Corp. also sponsored homes for the Hooten family, Miller family, Hicks family and Smith family. Since 2016, employees have donated 1,481 hours of their time to build homes in Pinellas County.

Founded in 1985, the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties will celebrate a milestone of 700 new homes built in August.

Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan.

To qualify, Habitat homeowner candidates must earn 30 to 80 percent of the area median income, demonstrate a need for adequate shelter, the ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and the willingness to partner with Habitat to invest 350 to 450 sweat equity hours building the home.

Hooters Management Corp. owns and operates 24 Hooters restaurants in Tampa Bay, Chicago and Manhattan including the original Hooters in Clearwater.

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